12/1/1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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M M must be assured we are going to get our monies worth out of making a change because once we make the change, he believed it will only be a short time before we will lose our Volunteer Ambulance Squads and be stuck with the major cost of this system. He further pointed out that in most cases in this county, we have a situation of very short hauls because of our geography, and he questioned whether we are going to get enough benefit out of paramedics in transport to make a paramedic system worthwhile. Commissioner Lyons also expressed concern about such a large committee. Dr. Frazier agreed that justification of this system is very important. He also believed there is a great deal of +room for improvement in coordination between the emergency - services. As to the size of the committee, he noted that most of the work of the EMS Council is done by a small group, but they need the input of all the groups. He did not share Commissioner Lyons concern about a loss of voluntarism, and stated that he had sensed a great deal of interest from them. Commissioner Wodtke also had concerns, especially re funding, and did not feel it is possible to fund Advanced Life Support $300,000-$500,000 next year. He agreed that he will look at the report, but noted that our present EMS are doing an excellent job and costing us nothing. Commissioner Wodtke then discussed the responsibility of the individual to pay for the services rendered and hoped that in the study and future presentation a fee structure for services rendered would be considered. In regard to what is.being proposed today, Com. Wodtke stated that he would be in favor of setting up a committee, but did not know that he would be in favor of a full salaried medical director to assist the committee structure. Chairman Scurlock noted that the recommendation was $18,000 and three months already have expired in this budget 72 in .52 ?AcE2P8